The third wave of the Climate Innovation Vouchers introduced us to a large number of new cleantech businesses – ingenious, unexpected, energetic, and breakthrough. We are excited by the potential of these green technologies, which undoubtedly can become drivers of economic growth in our country.
At this stage of the grant program, we selected 11 startups that ranked highest in the evaluation voting. We also held a webinar for those who didn’t make it into the top list. It is important for us that those who were not selected do not lose motivation, but instead understand the reasons for rejection and gain momentum to improve their business components and presentation skills for future grant applications.
That’s why we are sharing insights from this round and the most common reasons for rejection. We hope this information will serve as a useful guide for those who wish to apply for a grant in the next season of this or other funding programs.
1/ Legal entity type and equipment procurement
One of the main reasons for disqualification in the first selection round was non-compliance with the basic eligibility criteria clearly outlined in the program’s rules. These include inappropriate legal status of the applicant company: only private legal entities are eligible to apply. Sole proprietors, government, or non-profit organizations are not eligible. Another frequent issue was the inclusion of equipment purchases as a primary use of grant funds – either explicitly or indirectly. Equipment expenses are allowed, but must not exceed 20% of the total project cost.
Tip: Carefully read the rules before diving into your application preparation. You can find out if this program suits you by attending consultations during the active call phase, which are held weekly by the project coordinator. Ask questions, clarify uncertainties, and only then begin your application process.
2/ Service providers
Many applications were rejected due to poorly developed cooperation plans with service providers – the companies that will deliver the services funded by the grant.
Your chosen provider must be a reliable expert with deep knowledge of the specific services you want funded. The service provider also has to submit their own verification application, including references and evidence of experience. In previous rounds, many grantees worked successfully with individual entrepreneurs (sole proprietors) who met the verification criteria and delivered excellent results. However, if your selected provider has been operating for less than two years, fails to provide references or a formal commercial proposal, or your budget lacks clarity – your application will immediately lose points. The more experienced and reputable the provider, the more confidence we have in the quality of the services they will deliver.
Service providers must not be affiliated with the applicant. For example, if a Ukrainian company lists its parent company as a contractor, or if you select a family member’s business – this disqualifies your application.
Tip: When choosing a service provider, prioritize experience. You can browse a list of verified providers at https://climate.biz/ under the Service Providers Catalog section. If you choose someone not listed, do your homework: ask them to register, request a comprehensive proposal, contact details, and a list of previous clients we can call to verify their past work. We are looking for professionals who can guarantee high-quality services to our grantees.
3/ Scientific Evaluation and Business Scalability
Another key elimination stage was scientific evaluation of the applications. We involve experienced climate tech experts to assess proposals and identify scientifically unproven solutions. The Climate Innovation Vouchers program cannot support businesses with under-researched, unproven technologies that are at a very early development stage and lack evidence of the stated CO₂ or greenhouse gas emission reductions. We support companies that are already implementing innovations for the climate and environment and are capable of scaling them significantly.
Tip: Apply to programs that match your current business stage. If you already have sales, that’s a strong signal for us. If you’re still in the lab phase, it may be better to apply to the National Research Foundation of Ukraine or other programs focused on early-stage innovations. Support your emission reduction claims with properly documented and officially verified data. This will greatly improve your chances of receiving a high score. долучайтеся до такої грантової програми, яка відповідає етапу, на якому ваш бізнес перебуває на цей час. Якщо у вас вже є продажі, то це хороший показник для нас. Якщо це лабораторний проєкт, то, швидше за все, вам потрібен Національний фонд досліджень України чи інші програми, які працюють саме з ранньою фазою на ринку. Долучайте до ваших слів про оцінку скорочення викидів парникових газів належно оформлені та офіційно підтверджені цифри. Все це значно покращить ваші шанси на високий бал.
4/ Ranking Position of the Application
Unfortunately, even solid and well-thought-out ideas may not make it to the final list. Sometimes, the reason is simply competition – when there are too many strong applications, final decisions come down to the expert ranking score. рейтингу експертного голосування.
When selecting businesses for the Climate Innovation Vouchers, our experts assess based on five main criteria: 5 критеріїв:
1 ) the amount of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases your innovation or product will reduce;
2) scalability potential;
3) level of innovation;
4) market potential;
5) the team’s ability to implement the proposed technology.
The final outcome heavily depends on the overall quality of your climate calculations, commercial proposals, and application structure. Numbers, clarity, and accuracy matter a lot.
Tip: Start preparing your application well in advance. Find a reliable contractor who can provide high-quality services within the limited budget. Gather data to address all five assessment criteria in a way that clearly presents your business and its grant goals. Understand that this is a big job – but it’s also the one that can bring you the result you want.
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Even if you were not selected for the Climate Innovation Vouchers grant project, there is still plenty of room for action.
Apply for the next waves of this program, which may continue (follow updates on our platforms). Some of our winners, such as GO TO-YOU, applied three times before their third application became a model success. Also, follow other opportunities that Greencubator discovers and facilitates for you. For example, the new acceleration program for green businesses from UNIDO and the Global Environment Facility – GCIP Ukraine 2025 – has just opened applications.
We wish your business growth and continuous improvement. We truly care about your success. Thank you for advancing the green economy – especially in these challenging times – and we hope to become your partners in this journey!
